Dirty Politics Nicky Hager's new book

[Magda Hassan]

A dangerous precedent and a threat to journalism.

Investigative journalist Nicky Hager's been the target of a police raid as they try to flush out the hacker who downloaded Whale Oil blogger Cameron Slater's e-mails.

A police spokesperson confirmed computers and "related items" were taken from Mr Hager's Roseneath home as part of its ongoing investigation into the alleged hacking.
Emails and Facebook messages between Slater and his associates formed the backbone of Mr Hager's book Dirty Politics.
It exposed smear tactics and created a furore ahead of the election.
Police are investigating the hacker Rawshark they want to know who he is.
It is understood the raid on Mr Hager is an attempt to flush hum out.
Mr Hager says he is in talks with his lawyer about the incident about ways to challenge the police actions.
He said police went to his home while he was in lecturing in Auckland on October 2.
Five police officers arrived early in the morning with a search warrant and spent more than 10 hours searching the property.
Mr Hager said he spoke to the officer over the phone, who told him he was a witness in the case, rather than a suspect.


"Nonetheless, he and his four colleagues seized a large collection of papers and electronic equipment belonging to my family, including computers, drives, phones, CDs, an Ipod and a camera," he said.
He is confident police took nothing which would help them with their investigation and called it "pointless".

"Their actions were a fishing expedition. There was nothing in the house even faintly related to my sources."
Mr Hager told 3 News it was "unsettling" to have his house searched, but police were "reasonably polite" about it given the circumstances.
"This is an extremely heavy-handed way for the police to go about the case and I think it's purely because they were getting nowhere with the case and if they came into my house it would help them, but it won't."
While working on the book, Mr Hager said he was prepared for a raid-type situation, but did not believe the police would conduct one on his property.
He is adamant he has not done anything illegal.
"I believe the police actions are dangerous for journalism in New Zealand. It matters to all people working in the media who could similarly have their property searched and seized to look for sources."
Mr Hager said police had not spoken to him since the raid and he would not cooperate if and when they did.
Police want anyone with relevant information to come forward or contact CrimeStoppers anonymously.